Shelor, Claribel Fender
Claribel Fender Shelor, of Pilot, passed away on July 19th at Heritage House in Blacksburg, Va. She was 98. Claribel was born on June 30, 1928, in Sparta, N.C. to Brantley and Ardie Petty Fender. After her mother passed away, Clara was lovingly cared for by her stepmother, Nina Dancy Fender.
After graduating from high school, Claribel (Clara) moved to Christiansburg, VA, where she worked in sales and later in alterations at Leggett’s Department Store. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Darcie Shelor. They were married on June 15, 1945. They purchased a farm in Floyd, Co. and together, they raised four children. Clara tended large gardens, and she harvested produce from the gardens as well as fruit from the trees on their property. She was a gifted seamstress and made clothing, curtains, bedspreads, and doll clothes with patience, creativity, and love.
When Darcie suffered a disabling heart attack in 1980, Clara went through training to become a CNA and subsequently worked at Skyline Nursing Home. This fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, and Clara was devoted to those she cared for. When Darcie’s health declined, Clara retired at the age of 79.
Clara had a lifelong love of flowers, especially irises, whose beauty she admired and nurtured in her gardens year after year. That love of flowers became a gift she passed on to her daughters, leaving them not only cherished memories, but traditions and passions that will continue to bloom for generations.
Above all, she will be remembered for her loving heart, quiet strength, and the kindness she showed so freely to others. Her home was a place of comfort, and her presence made life brighter for those around her.
She is now reunited with her beloved husband, Darcie Shelor, whom she loved dearly for seventy years and missed deeply. Together again, they remain forever in the hearts of those who loved them.
Clara is survived by her children, Gary Shelor (Connie), Barbara Webb (Gary), Cheryl Shull (Brian), and Karen McMillion (Jeff); grandchildren Michael, Jennifer, Kristen (their mother Nancy), Sharla, Maranda, Devin, Rachel, Leah, and Erin; step-grandchildren Gary and Kerrie; 17 great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister, Betty Roupe and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Gary and Barbara Webb for caring for mom at their home for 5 years. We would also like to thank the staff at Heritage House for the loving care she received in the last days of her life. We are also thankful for Medi Hospice for their compassionate care and family support in the recent and brief difficult time.
The family will receive friends between noon and 2:00pm on July 23 at Gardner Funeral Home in Floyd. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm with Jerry Hylton officiating. Burial will take place at Stonewall Church cemetery.
Flowers will be appreciated or memorial may be made to Stonewall Church of the Brethren 4085 Floyd Hwy N., Floyd, VA 24091.
Clara’s life was a testament to faith and family. We pray that her memory will bring smiles to your faces and will continue to inspire those who were blessed to know her.
